The water clarity was great most of this report period with occasional periods of slightly silty conditions. The water temperature has held in the low 60’s. There has been no bait fish except some rain minnows. Squid have been plentiful at night, and some were caught in the daytime. The following species were caught, Red Drum, Black Drum, Bonita, Spanish Mackerel, Sheepshead, Pompano and Squid
We began the period with a few Spanish Mackerel Thursday morning. Gotchas, Spoons and Bubble rigs got bites. None were very big but at least there were a few keepers.
Red Drum were caught several days. Fresh caught Squid fished on the bottom with Carolina rigs produced the best bites. All fish caught were over-slot and returned healthy. Terry, Jack, Lee and Steve are pictured with the Reds they caught.
Along with the Reds, a couple of slot Black Drum were decked. Jack decked one Friday and Terry got his on Monday. Terry’s fish ate a Ghost shrimp and Jack’s ate a Squid. Both fish were invited for dinner.
Flounder have been scarce but three nice ones made their way into angler’s coolers this week. Monday, Steve caught a 16” Flounder and Paul got an 18” one. Then Tuesday, Paul decked a nice 19” Flattie. Paul’s fish ate a Spro jig with a Gulp curly tail.
Sheepshead have been thick around and swimming between the pilings. However, they have been extremely difficult to entice to bite. Sunday a couple fishing on the end Tee were able to deck one and lost three more. Then today, Mikel fished them all day. His persistence paid off with two very nice Sheepshead. Mikel was using live Shrimp.
Today, the only Pompano for the week was decked. Terry was the lucky angler.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 61.5 – 63.7 Small Spanish Mackerel, two Bonita (Rob), one Red Drum and a few Squid.
Friday: water temp 60.3 – 62.6 A Black Drum (Jack), two Red Drum (Jack and Terry) and Squid.
Saturday: water temp 60.1 – 61.7 Squid.
Sunday: water temp 60.3 – 61.0 A sheepshead caught and three lost, Squid.
Monday: water temp 60.3 – 61.5 Squid, a Black Drum (Terry) and two Flounder Paul D. 18” and Steve W. 16”).
Tuesday: water temp.61.3 – 63.5 A few Squid before daylight, a Red Drum (Lee) and a Flounder (Paul D. 19”)
Wednesday: water temp 61.9 – 63.3 Two Sheepshead (Mikel), one Red Drum (Steve W.) and a Pompano (Terry H)
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Bay County.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Friday Mar. 14, 2025 - New Moon Saturday Mar. 29, 2025 -
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Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:10am Sunset: 5:40pm
Thursday 27th. 6:47am Low -0.4 10:15pm High 1.0
Friday 6:54am Low -0.2 12:47pm High 0.2
2:59pm Low 0.1 11:33pm High 0.8
Saturday 6:35am Low 0.1 12:23pm High 0.3
5:25pm Low 0.1
Sunday 5:22am Low 0.3 12:59am High 0.5
7:39pm Low -0.1 12:01pm High 0.6
Monday 9:52pm Low -0.3 11:49am High 0.9
Tuesday 12:19pm High 1.1
Wednesday 05th. 12:13am Low -0.4 1:06pm High 1.3
Sunrise: 6:03am Sunset: 5:44pm CST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY NIGHT
West winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming north 15 to 20 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: Northwest 2 feet at 3 seconds. Protected waters choppy.
FRIDAY
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, diminishing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: North 2 feet at 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Wave Detail: Northwest 1 foot at 4 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Wave Detail: Northwest 1 foot at 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds around 10 knots, becoming northwest after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SUNDAY
North winds 10 to 15 knots, diminishing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
North winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming northeast 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
MONDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop.
MONDAY NIGHT
East winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southeast 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (71/51 rain 10% wind W-12)
FRIDAY (68/54 rain 02% wind W-08)
SATURDAY (69/51 rain 04% wind WSW-10)
SUNDAY (67/48 rain 01% wind NNE-11)
MONDAY (69/58 rain 12% wind ESE-09)
TUESDAY (72/64 rain 12% wind SE-17)
WEDNESDAY(71/51 rain 60% wind SW-16)
PIER MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bay County Parks and Recreation – 5304 Majetti Tower Road Panama City, FL 32404
850-248-8730
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Parks Division Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Timothy Pentice- Bay Co. Asst. Div. Mgr. – tprentice@baycountyfl.gov – 448-217-4219
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
SLP053@BELLSOUTH.NET
770-265-2879
